Portret van Ferdinand III in ovaal 1613 - 1656

Cornelis Danckerts the First created this portrait of Ferdinand the Third using engraving, a printmaking technique that demands precision and control. The stark contrast between the lines and the blank paper is a direct result of the engraver's labor. To create the image, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the carved lines, and the surface is wiped clean, and finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Notice how the density of the lines creates shading and volume, giving form to Ferdinand's face, armor, and ornate collar. Consider too, that this portrait wasn't just a likeness, it was a statement of power, carefully crafted and reproduced to circulate an image of imperial authority. So, next time you look at a print, remember the intricate dance between hand, tool, and material that brings these images to life.